Senator Penny Wong

Congratulations to Vietnam’s new leaders following their appointments at the 16th National Assembly. Vietnam & Australia are close friends and Comprehensive Strategic Partners, and I look forward to working with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung on our shared priorities.

Read our statement here: foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny…

The conflict in Lebanon is contributing to a humanitarian crisis. As UN Security Council members meet today to discuss the protection of UN and Humanitarian Personnel, Australia and partners call for international humanitarian law to be respected, and aid workers to be protected.

I know that for many, this is a difficult long weekend, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to cause disruption. To all Australians who are celebrating Easter today, I hope you are able to enjoy some time with your loved ones and have a happy Easter.

Congratulations to @shahbalen on being sworn in as Prime Minister of Nepal and to the Interim Government on the successful conduct of elections. Our countries share a strong friendship, and we look forward to working together to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying troops on the ground in Iran. The Australian Government continues to support de-escalation and the resolution of this conflict.

The focus of last night’s meeting was diplomatic and civilian initiatives countries could pursue to make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe. Ministers agreed on the importance of continued coordination and collective action.

I joined over 40 countries on a call on the Strait of Hormuz as part of Australia’s support for international efforts to reopen the critical waterway. I thank @YvetteCooperMP for convening the meeting with representatives from every continent, and organisations including @IMOHQ.

This week I spoke with @UNReliefChief Tom Fletcher about the global impact of Iran's attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, which are causing unprecedented energy supply shocks in the Indo-Pacific. We also discussed @UNOCHA's vital humanitarian work in Lebanon and Gaza.

Ahead of tonight’s meeting with international counterparts, I spoke with @AnitaAnandMP about the conflict and its impact on global energy markets. We all want to see safe passage restored through the Strait of Hormuz and an end to it being held hostage by the Iranian regime.

The PNG-Australia Pukpuk Treaty has moved another step forward, with the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties yesterday tabling its support. I shared the good news with PNG High Commissioner HE Mr John Kali CMG OBE, whose tenure ends soon. Tenk yu tru for your service since 2019.

Australia and Singapore are strengthening our collective energy resilience and accelerating work on arrangements that support the trade of essential supplies. In these uncertain times, Australia’s close friendship with a trusted partner like Singapore is more important than ever.

I met with Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Dr Tan See Leng, to discuss practical steps to strengthen energy supply resilience in our region. We are working together to keep trade flows open and essential supplies like LNG and diesel moving.

The Declaration is now a shared commitment by more than 110 countries – more than half the United Nations – for stronger accountability, safer access, and better protection for aid workers everywhere.

In Zomi’s honour, Australia launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the United Nations in September last year, and I thank her brother Mal for being with us on that day.

Today marks two years since Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed in an Israeli strike while delivering vital humanitarian aid in Gaza. Zomi was a uniquely selfless person. Zomi and aid workers like her should be celebrated – and protected.